2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2023 Honda HR-V

Volvo made subtle styling changes to the 2022 XC60, including a new front fascia with "air blades" for a sportier look, a rear bumper that hides the tailpipes, and new wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to move sensors behind the heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models like the XC90 and S90. Inside, the XC60 retained its clean design with a new digital instrument cluster, a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design model featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, while the Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2023 Honda HR-V received a substantial styling update, losing some of the quirky charm of its predecessor but gaining a sophisticated, modern look. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing created a sleeker appearance, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were tucked under the hood lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The HR-V Sport trim featured 18-inch black alloy wheels, a black rear spoiler, and a chrome exhaust, while the EX-L trim came with perforated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and an eight-way power driver’s seat. The interior followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, with a metal honeycomb grille hiding the vents and touch-sensitive reading and map lights.

For the 2022 model year, the Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 engines. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter generator, adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 powertrain also included an electric supercharger. The B5 produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 offered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 available in FWD or AWD and the B6 only in AWD. The B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), and the B6 in 5.9 seconds. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid delivered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, an improvement over the 2022 model. The updated CVT included a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds during acceleration. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available by pulling the shifter back a notch. Snow mode adjusted the transmission and throttle response for better traction, while ECON mode optimized fuel efficiency. The HR-V was available in FWD or AWD, with new front and fully independent rear suspensions and widened tracks for improved handling. Despite being fun to drive, the HR-V was not overpowered, and competitors like the Kia Seltos and Ford Bronco Sport offered more powertrain options.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained its competitive interior space, with above-average front-seat headroom but the worst rear-seat headroom in its segment. Legroom was average in both rows. Mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded, while plug-in hybrid models had slightly less capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good forward and rear visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for drive mode controls, parking brake, and hill-descent control. Rear-seat headroom measured 39.4 inches in the front (38.4 with the moonroof) and 38.0 inches in the rear. Cargo space was 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The HR-V's 60/40 split rear seats created a nearly flat floor when folded down. The new model had 98.7 cubic feet of passenger volume in LX and Sport trims and 97.3 in EX-L, with front legroom improved to 41.9 inches.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Optional features included a head-up display and upgraded audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins. The new system integrated Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. The system supported over-the-air updates and was compatible with iPhones, though without Google profile syncing. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen above the dash, with physical knobs for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on EX-L. The EX-L trim also included a 9-inch infotainment display, a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. All HR-Vs had a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen display. Additional features included three USB-A ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a four-speaker audio system, with Sport trims adding a six-speaker system and EX-L trims offering WiFi capability, SiriusXM, and HD Radio.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2021 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. New features for 2022 included a Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system was available as an option.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. A driver-attention monitor was standard, and Sport and EX-L trims added a blind-spot information system. EX-L also included front and rear parking sensors and low-speed braking control. The 2023 HR-V had not been crash-tested, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" scores from the IIHS.